The Development of (Toxic) Masculinity and the Manifestation of

Internalized Homophobia
Kara Waltersdorff || Senior || Literary and Textual Studies || York College of Pennsylvania
Faculty Advisor: Amanda Stuckey, PhD

Background:
As defined by Sarah Kaplan, toxic masculinity is “the idea that some traditional ideas about how men should behave are harmful to men, women
and society overall.”

From Cultural Bridges to Justice, internalized homophobia is “the involuntary belief by lesbians and gay men that the homophobic lies,
stereotypes and myths about them (that are delivered to everyone in a heterosexist / homophobic society) are true.”

Research Question:
How is toxic masculinity formed and how does it create internalized homophobia in gay or bisexual men?

Ennis is shown, from a very Alec does things for the good of
young age, what happens to his family, for the good of his
men who live with other men. people. He was raised that way,
His father shows him a man so he doesn’t actually
who had been murdered for understand how to not think of
that very reason – and others first. His mother
murdered violently. Ennis is acknowledges the fact that
told from this time that living politics and the life of a
as a gay man is Shadowhunter are basically –
unacceptable and will and are expected to be – the
inevitably end in violence. same thing.

Conclusion:
In the close reading these two pieces of media, as well as the reading and application of queer & gender theories, I found
it very easy to make the connections between family values and internalized homophobia.

My hope for the future is to expand my research to other pieces of literature – books, films, etc. and be able to identify
these connections. With these connections made visible, I’d love to be able to synthesize the information and help families
who are struggling with issues of masculinity, homophobia, and compulsive heterosexuality.

“Internalized Homophobia.” Cultural Bridges to Justice, 2011, www.culturalbridgestojustice.org/programs/homophobia/internalized-homophobia.

Kaplan, Sarah. “Men Who Value Power over Women More Likely to Have Psychological Troubles.” The Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2016.